Bexley Roundup

Boys golf squad eyes postseason

Enlarge ImageBuy This PhotoJohn Hulkenberg/ThisWeekSenior Tyler Seckel of Bexley chips onto the No. 2 green during a dual with Whitehall at Westchester on Sept. 11. The Lions finished second in the MSL-Ohio standings.

Sept. 25 -- Competed in Division II sectional at Granville Golf Course. The top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the district tournament Oct. 3 at Granville Golf Course.

Sept. 29 -- Watterson Invitational at Clover Valley

Of note: The Lions finished second (18-3) behind Columbus Academy (20-1) in the MSL-Ohio.

Sept. 24 -- Competed in Division II sectional tournament at Blacklick Woods. The top five teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the district tournament Oct. 1 at Pickaway Golf Course.

Oct. 1 -- CSG at Columbus Country Club

Of note: The Oct. 1 match with CSG will be moved to another date if either team is competing in the district tournament.

BOYS SOCCER

Sept. 18 -- Def. Canal Winchester 1-0

Sept. 22 -- Lost to Gahanna 3-0

*Sept. 27 -- Home vs. Granville

Sept. 29 -- At Jonathan Alder

Of note: The Lions are 6-2-2 overall and 3-0 in the MSL-Ohio.

GIRLS SOCCER

*Sept. 20 -- Tied Grandview at 0

Sept. 22 -- Lost to Kettering Alter 4-0

*Sept. 24 -- Played Heath

Sept. 29 -- At Jonathan Alder

*Oct. 2 -- At West Jefferson

Of note: The Lions were 4-5-1 overall and 3-0-1 in the MSL-Cardinal/Ohio before Sept. 24.

Of note: The Lions were 5-7 overall and 1-6 in the MSL-Ohio before Sept. 24.

*League contest

The Bexley High School boys golf team has achieved numerous goals this season, so coach Jimmy Ryan wasn't upset by one that got away.

"We've won every invitational we've been in this year that was played to completion," Ryan said before Bexley competed Sept. 22 in the Rodney Butt Classic at Granville Golf Course, in which the Lions finished sixth (327) behind champion Wellington (316). "I'm really pleased with the way the kids have played. Did I want to win the MSL-Ohio (Division) title? Of course I did."

The Lions fell short of that goal, as Columbus Academy captured the league championship.

Bexley finished second (324) in the MSL-Ohio postseason tournament Sept. 18 at Clover Valley behind Academy (313). The Lions finished with an 18-3 league record, while the Vikings went 20-1.

"We beat (Academy) in the preseason (MSL-Ohio tournament)," Ryan said. "They beat us in the regular-season match and they beat us (in the league postseason tournament).

"There's an ebb and flow to golf and our kids were a little flat. We started out the year like gangbusters. We'll get our wind back at sectional, (district) and state."

Weisman was first-team all-league, but the fact he wasn't named Player of the Year in the league upset Ryan.

"It's a travesty that my kid missed out on the Player of the Year in the league," Ryan said. "My kid won the preseason, won the postseason and beat the kid that eventually won (Player of the Year) by six strokes."

Granville's Nick Contini won the award. He shot 80 in the postseason tournament, finishing seventh.

Murphy also was named first-team all-league, while Craig and Fowler were both on the second team.

Seeded first, Bexley was to play in a Division II sectional tournament Sept. 25 at Granville Golf Course. The top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the district tournament Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the same course.

"At this point in the season the only thing that matters is advancing," Ryan said.

"Our focus right now is to qualify for the state tournament. We're going to play (Ohio State's Scarlet Course) and hope we can get there for the state tournament.

"We're going to do what we can to be ready for any opportunity that presents itself."

Girls golf team getting job done

Although three of its top golfers from a year ago graduated, the girls team has excelled.

Bexley shot a 395 in the MSL postseason tournament Sept. 19 at Blacklick Woods to finish six strokes ahead of runner-up Licking Valley.

Rachael Jackson was medalist with a 74.

The next day, the Lions finished second (210) behind Licking Valley (201) in a MOGGL tournament at Bent Tree.

The Lions completed a 20-4 season in the MOGGL, good enough for first in the league.

"We anticipated this season might be a rebuilding year with three seniors, one junior and three freshmen," coach Kay Addy said. "We have been pleasantly surprised by the girls.

Addy pointed toward the Lions "blending the varying ages and personalities to form a team bond" as a reason for their success.

Jackson was named MSL Player of the Year, while Emily Reed and Liza Weisman were first-team all-league.

Vahni Kurra was honorable mention all-league.

Jackson had a nine-hole average of 40.4 before Sept. 22, with school-record scores for nine holes (35) and 18 holes (74).

Reed (44.4) and Weisman (42.6) also were averaging in the 40s per nine holes.

Bexley was the No. 1 seed in the Division II sectional tournament held Sept. 24 at Blacklick Woods. The top five teams and top five individuals not on qualifying teams advanced to the district tournament Monday, Oct. 1, at Pickaway Golf Course.

"Whatever happens, this group of girls can be proud of their 2012 golf season," Addy said.

Football team earns first league win

Patrick McClendon rushed for a 39-yard touchdown and threw an 81-yard scoring pass to Greg Miller as the football team won 38-0 at Lakewood on Sept. 21 for its first MSL-Ohio victory.

Jimmy Kahan (9 yards), Andre Stewart (4) and Miller (5) had rushing touchdowns as the Lions (2-3, 1-1 MSL-Ohio) scored 35 points in the first half. Will Gingery added a 31-yard field goal.

Bexley plays host to Newark Catholic on Friday, Sept. 28.

The Green Wave defeated Academy 14-9 on Sept. 22 to improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the MSL-Ohio.

Kevin Bourne caught both touchdown passes from Chayce Crouch, including the winning score with 1:32 remaining.